Thomas Waddell Tragheim/Tragham (1910 – 2005)
Today my grandfather would have been 99 years old.
This picture is marked as having been taken in 1928, when he was 18. He’s on the right, and we don’t know who the other young man is according to my parents the other young man is probably his friend, George Warden, who was also a painter and who had ran a shop on the Hilltown with his brother, Bert. His wife, Mae, is still alive. I also don’t know what the fancy occasion was or where the photograph was taken, although it was most likely in or around Dundee.
This is my grandfather, grandmother (my nana), and my uncle Alan. Alan was born in 1953, and he looks like he’s about four or five years old here, so I’m guessing this was taken about 1957 or 1958. (Claire, if you’re reading this, maybe you could ask him). Judging by the apparent slope on the street I’d imagine this was taken when they were descending Dundee’s Hilltown. According to my mum and dad, they’re walking down Dundee’s Murraygate. I’d thought it might be the Hilltown, but my mum and dad are Dundee experts, having been brought up there!
This picture’s marked as having been taken at Loch Tay. The car he’s standing beside is a Ford Popular 100E, which was in production from 1959 until 1962. it had three gears, cost £494 new, with taxes, and was the cheapest saloon car in production in the UK at the time. My dad actually bought this car from my grandad when he purchased a Ford Anglia. It was our family’s first vehicle.
This is a very characteristic view of my grandad. He loved the countryside and had a great love of wildlife, and of birds in particular. Quite late into his life he got into painting landscapes, although he took to this pursuit not long before it became impractical for him to attend art classes. It strikes me now that with his painting and his appreciation of birds, he had a well-developed aesthetic sense. I might have inherited that from him. My aunt Jean is very artistic, but while I’m not much of a creator of art she can knock off beautiful drawings and paintings with ease.
5 Responses to “Thomas Waddell Tragheim/Tragham (1910 – 2005)”
About this entry
You’re currently reading “Thomas Waddell Tragheim/Tragham (1910 – 2005),” an entry on Bodhipaksa's blog, bodhi tree swaying
Published: Mar 09 2009
My kids told me about your site bodhi and I had time tonight to take a look ; what a delight ! I remember looking at these pictures as a wee lad ! They were wonderful people our grandparents and it is grand to see you keeping their memory alive.
I can still recognise most British Bird’s by their song thanks to Grandad , a truly remarkable man.
Hope you and your family are well and content.
Kenny.
PS – Alan looks like a girl in that pic !
Hey, Kenny! Great to hear from you.
We did indeed have wonderful grandparents. I miss them a lot, and I’m sorry my daughter (and the son who’s on the way) never had a chance to meet them.
Alan, to his credit, looks like he’s being physically dragged along the street. I can only imagine he knew on some level what a complete dork he looked.
Have your kids told you I traced the Tragheims back to a family of Jewish traders in Latvia? I’m going to email you a PDF of the family tree as it stands at present. It’s not entirely complete because there are some Tragheims I know about who are not on the tree and there are also people I know who are missing, probably including at least one of your offspring. Maybe you could help me fill in the blanks.
I have never seen these pictures. That is a particularly nice one of dad with Nana and Grandad. I’d say he is about 5 in this picture but I will send him the link and he can judge for himself. Not too sure that he will appreciate the comment from Kenny though! Dad and Kenny look remarkably similar so he shouldn’t be too harsh. The Tragham genes are very strong indeed!
Hi Claire,
These were all floating around in a shoe box in the famous livingroom wa’ press. I’ve no idea where they are now – I hope someone held onto them. I think Kenny was commenting on the rather girly overcoat Alan was wearing, but you’re right — Kenny sent me a picture the other day and I thought he looked rather like your dad.
Talking of Tragham genes, I’ve made contact with Tragheims all over the place now, and every branch of the family has the phrase “The Tragheim/Tragham nose”! It seems to be one of the more distinctive features.
I can’t believe I just tracked this down, how amazing! I opened the pictures and couldn’t believe it. At first i thought it was my dad (Ronald) It’s so amazing how much Tam, Ron and kenny look like! Kenny, I miss you;(. I’ve always been alone and this site immediately really connected to my family. My daughter Cordelia is sitting with me right now looking through this site. Fabulous!!